Conveyor



(Jet. 24, 1961 A. B. KRoMME ET AL 3, 3

CONVEYOR Original Filed Jan. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS A.B.S M8: E

ATTORNEY Oct. 24, 1961 A. B. SKROMME ET AL 3,005,538

CONVEYOR Original Filed Jan. 10, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS A. B.SKROMME &

QR LANCE ATTORNE S United States This invention relates to a conveyorand particularly to a bale-type of conveyor which is normally mounted ina hay loft or similar building and which moves bales lengthwise of theconveyor to a position within the building where they will be dumped ordischarged from the conveyor. Still more particularly this inventionpertains to the means for mounting the conveyor in the building and forconnecting various sections of the conveyor to one another.

This is a continuation of copending application, Ser. No. 708,238, filedJanuary 10, 1958 and now abandoned.

The conveyor herein to be described is the type of conveyor constructedof a plurality of sections which are connected in end to end relation toserve as a base or support for a flight type conveyor which moves overthe sections and moves bales of hay lengthwise of the sections. One ofthe primary uses of such a conveyor is in the hay loft of barns of othertypes of buildings in which the bales of hay move along the conveyor toa position in which it is desired to discharge the hay to one side orthe other of the conveyor. The conveyor is normally mounted rather highin the building and in most instances is supported by the rafters orother type of frame work adjacent to the roof of the building.Consequently, the conveyor is located in a position in the building inwhich access is not easily obtained. Therefore, it is of primaryimpartance that the means of connecting the various sections to oneanother is relatively simple and yet relatively strong so that thesections will not separate from one another in operation.

It is the primary purpose of this invention to provide a simple means ofmounting the above type of conveyor in a building and one in which theindividual sections of the conveyor may be removed for maintenance orreplacement without affecting or causing the other sections of theconveyor to be dismantled.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a simplifiedmeans for interconnecting the sections of the conveyor which hasconsiderable strength so that the joint at the connection will not failin operation.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art as the nature of the invention isbetter understood from the following disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of the conveyor and its meansof mounting in a building.

FIG. 2 is an inflated side view of the joint connecting two sections ofthe conveyor with portions of the sections being shown.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing the end portions of the conveyor sectionsin their connected positions.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG.3.

The building shown in dotted representation in FIG. 1 may be a hay loftor a similar type building, such being shown in the present instanceonly for purposes of orientation. As may be seen, the conveyor ismounted adjacent the roof of the building and proximate to the rafters10. Provided for primary support for the conveyor are a plurality ofvertically disposed U-shaped hanger rods 11 hung from the ridge pole 12.Supported on the lower or bight end of the hanger rods 11 are a seriesof eyebolts 13, the lower ends of which are connected to a atent I rail14. The rail 14, while not shown in detail, is in cross section in theform of an inverted T with the vertical portion of the T connected tothe eye-bolts 13. Spaced longitudinally along the rail 14- are a seriesof rollers 15 which engage the upper surfaces of the horizontal flangesof the T rail. The rollers 15 are in pairs, one for each flange, and aremounted on bifurcated brackets 16. Oval links 17 connect'the brackets 16to the bight portions 23 of U-shaped hanger members 18. The hangermembers 18 are further characterized by transversely oppositely disposeddepending leg portions 24, 25. Side rails 26 are supported on the legportions 24, 25 by means of inwardly extending socket brackets 27 andsocket rods 29 which are turned downwardly to fit through a slot 28-.The purpose of the slots 28 is to permit limited movement fore-and-aftof the support members 18. Also provided is a discharge rail 30 whichcrosses diagonally from the leg 25 to the leg 24 of the next adjacenthanger member 18 and serves to guide bales off one side of the conveyor.This type of discharge from the conveyor is more or less conventionaland no point of invention is meant to be claimed relative to thisfeature, such being shown only for purposes of a full understanding ofthe manner in which this type of conveyor opcrates.

At the lower ends of the legs. 24, 25- are U-shaped brackets 35-, 36respectively which are bolted to the lower end of the respective legportions and are turned inwardly therefrom to receive opposite ends of across rod or pipe 37 which fits beneath the conveyor.

The conveyor itself is composed of a plurality of supporting qr conveyorsections which are substantially similar and are mounted in end to endrelation to form a rigid elongated support for the conveyor. Only twosections 40a, 40b are shown in the present invention, although anynumber of sections could be added. The sections 40a, 40b are composedgenerally of panels forming box-shaped cross sections and include 7depending side panels 41a, 41b respectively, and 42a, 42b respectively,interconnected at their upper edges by laterally disposed cross panels43a, 43b respectively, and at their lower edges by cross panels 44a, 44brespectively.

A drive mechanism is provided at the front end of the section 40b andincludes an electric motor 50 which is carried on a T-shaped bracket 51,the upper portion of the T-shaped plate or bracket 51 being pivotallymounted for vertically swinging in the side panels 41b, 42b of thesection 40b. The upper portion of the drive mechanism includes a shortsupport section 5 2 similar in cross section and continuous with thesections 40a, 40b. The section 52 also serves as support for the frontend-of the conveying means, here in the form of a conveyor chain 53, andfor its drive mechanism. The section 52 is left open at its bottom.

A -U-shaped supporting bracket -64 depends from opposite side panelportions of the supporting section 52 and supports a drive shaft 55, oneend of which is driven from the motor 50 by means of a V-belt drive,indicated in its entirety by the pulley and belt 56. The opposite end ofthe drive shaft 55 drives a sprocket, not shown, which operates a chaindrive, indicated in its entirety by a reference numeral '57, which inturn drives the conveyor drive shaft 58. As may be seen, theweightof-the motor 50 operates to maintain tension on the belt drive 56.Suit able shielding as at '49 and 59 is mounted over-the belt drive 56and chain and sprocket drive 57. Y

The panel members'of the conveyor. sections 40a an 40b are buttedagainst one another and are mounted." on the section supports '18 andspecifically on the cross pipe or rod 37 by means of upright plates '60and 61 bolted at 62, 63 to be rigid with the end of the section 404: and

' specifically to the side panels 41a, 42a. respectively. The

plates 60, 61 depend fromthe lower edge of the side panels 411:, 42a andhave slots, as at 64, opening from the lower edge of the plate forreceiving the cross bar or pipe 37.

On the adjacent end of the conveyor section 4012 are a pair of plates70, 71 bolted, as at 72, 73 to be rigid with the depending side panels41b, 42b of the conveyor section 40b. The plates 70, 71 are alsoprovided with slots 74 opening from their lower edge for receiving thecross brace or pipe 37. It should be recognized that the plates 60, 61,70, 71 while shown as separate from the sections 40a, 41a could be acontinuation of the side panels forming part of those sections, ineither case the plates would be rigid with the sections. Upright plates60, 61 and 70, 71 extend beyond the ends of the conveyor sections 40a,40b so as to be in longitudinal overlapping relation with the uprightplates of the adjacent section. The sections 40a, 401), when assembled('FIGS. 3, 4), will have the slots 64, 74 in transverse registration toreceive a common cross rod 37. The plates 60, 61 are turned or formedoutwardly from the planeof the side panels 41a, 42a so as to permit theplates 70, 71 to be inserted between the plates 60, 61 and the sidepanels 41a, 42a and 41b, 4222 (such being shown clearly in FIG. 4). Thesections 400:, 40']: are mounted on the cross rod 37 by positioning thesection 40a so that the cross rod 37 is received in the slots of theplates 60, 61 and inserting the adjacent plates 70, 71 and theirassociated section 40a in a position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 wherein thecross piece 37 will reside in the slots of all the plate por-' tions 60,61, 70, 71. Provision is made for locking the sections in this positionby means of links or bars 80, '81 which are carried by the lower of thebolts 62, 63 and are adapted to swing upwardly to positions adjacent toan aperture 82 in the plate 70 and a similar one, not shown, in theplate 71. An aperture 83 is provided in the lower end of the bar 8 0which is registrable with the aperture 83 so as to receive around-headed pin 84 held in position by means of a cotter pin 85. Asimilar connecting means, not shown, is provided for locking the bar 81in its locked position. The purpose of the'bars 80, 81 is to providemeans for closing the slots 64, 74 from the lower edges thereby lockingthe cross piece or bar 37 in position. The slots 64, 74 are also roundat their upper edges to elfect a pivotal connection about the crosspiece 37. e

Normal mounting of the above described conveyor on the track or rail 14will occur at one end of the building. In most instances a bale elevatorwill be used outside the building and the conveyor sections may be movedon the elevator to the end of the building and may be attached to therail 14 while still supported on the elevator. Initially section 52 willbe mounted on the first cross rod 37 with the adjacent endof the section4%. The supporting member 18 is'then rolled down the track 14 until theopposite end of the section 40b may be slipped over the next cross bar37 of the next supporting hanger member 18. At the same time theadjacent end of the next conveyor section 40a will be mounted on the rod37 and both will be locked in position on the cross piece 37. Since thesupport 18 may move'fore-and-aft about its upper end and since there isa pivotal connection over the cross bar 37, the entire assembly is moreor less articulate so that prior to assembly adjustments may be made soas to easily fit the sections together merely by pivoting the support atits upper or lower end. The rails 26 may be added merely by raising thelock pins or rods 29 out of the socket members 27 and placing themthrough the slots 28. In this manner, conveyor sections may be added orsubtracted depending upon the exact location that it is desired todischarge the bales. Also, should it be desired to remove a section, forrepair or transfer to other places, such may be removed temporarilywithout disassembling the entire conveyor system since there 18 only therequirement that the bars 80, 81 be dropped so as to permit the sectionsto be raised from the cross bar 57. It is of course obvious that thistype of conveyor contemplatm using a type of link chain in whichsections of the chains may be removed or sections added withoutdifliculty.

While only one form of the invention has been shown, it should berecognized that other forms and variations could exist without departingbasically from the broad general principles herein disclosed. It shouldtherefore be understood that while the preferred embodiment of theinvention has been described with the view of clearly and conciselyillustrating the invention, it is desired not to so limit or narrow theinvention beyond that which is herein claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. An elongated conveyor of the type described comprising: an elongatedrail adapted for support above and longitudinal of the conveyor; aplurality of U-shaped hanger members spaced longitudinally relative tothe rail, each of the U-shaped hanger members having a transverse bightportion and depending leg portions; means mounting the U-shaped memberson the rail permitting longitudinal movement of the members on the rail;a plurality of elongated conveyor sections, each of the sections beinggenerally similar in cross section with the other sections and disposedin end to end relation with the other sections to form a continuousuniform conveyor support, and each of the sections having dependinglongitudinally extending side panels interconnected at their upper edgesby a longitudinal laterally disposed panel; cross rods disposed underthe sections proximate the ends thereof; means connecting opposite endsof the cross rods to opposite depending leg portions respectively of theU-shaped hanger members; upright plate portions rigid with the sidepanels adjacent opposite ends of the sections and extending inlongitudinal overlapping relation with the plate portions on the end ofthe next adjacent section, and each of the plate portions having thereina slot opening downwardly for receiving a cross red, the slots of eachof the plate portions being transversely registrable with the slots ofthe plate portion on the next adjacent section; locking elements mountedon the plate portions adaptable for closing the lower end of the slotsand operative to prevent the cross rod from leaving the slots; andconveyor means supported by the conveyor support for moving materiallengthwise of the support.

2. An elongated conveyor of the type described comprising: a pluralityof spaced apart U-shaped hanger members, each having a bight portion anddepending leg portions; a plurality of elongated conveyor sectionsposltioned between the depending leg portion, each of the sections beinggenerally similar in cross section with the other sections and disposedin end to end relation with the other sections to form a continuousuniform conveyor support, and each of the sections having dependinglongitudinally extending side panels interconnected at their upper edgesby a longitudinal laterally disposed panel; cross rods disposed underthe sections proximate the ends thereof; means connecting opposite endsof the cross rods to opposite depending legportions respectively of theU shaped hanger members; upright plate portions rigid with the sidepanels adjacent opposite ends of the sections and extending inlongitudinal overlapping relation with the plate portions on the end, ofthe next adjacent section, and each of the plate portions having thereina slot opening downwardly for receiving a cross rod, the slotsof eachof-the plate portions being transversely registrable with the slots ofthe plate portion on the next adjacent section; locking elements mountedon the plate portions adaptable for closing the lower end of the slotsand operative to prevent the cross rod from leaving the slots; andconveyor means supported by the conveyor support :for moving materiallengthwise of the support. 3. An elongated conveyor of the typedescribed comprising: a plurality of spaced apart U-shaped hangermembers, each having a bight portion and depending leg portions; aplurality of elongated conveyor sections positioned between thedepending leg portion, each of the sections being generally similar incross section with the other sections and disposed in end to endrelation with the other sections to form a continuous uniform conve orSupport, and each of the sections having depending longitudinallyextending sides; cross rods disposed under the sections proximate theends thereof; means connecting opposite ends of the cross rods toopposite depending leg portions respectively of the U-shaped hangermembers; upright plate portions rigid with each of the sides adjacentopposite ends of the sections and extending in longitudinal overlappingrelation with the plate portions on the end of the next adjacentsection, and each of the plate portions having therein a slot openingdownwardly for receiving a cross rod, the slots of each of the plateportions being transversely registrable with the slots of the plateportion on the next adjacent section; locking elements mounted on theplate portions adaptable for closing the lower end of the slots andoperative to prevent the cross rod from leaving the slots; and conveyormeans supported by the conveyor support for moving material lengthwiseof the support.

4. An elongated conveyor of the type described comprising: an elongatedrail adapted for support above and longitudinal of the conveyor; aplurality of U-shaped hanger members spaced longitudinally relative tothe rail, each of the U-shaped hanger members having a transverse bightportion and depending leg portions; means mounting the U-shaped memberson the rail permitting longitudinal movement of the members on the rail;a plurality of elongated conveyor sections positioned between thedepending leg portions, each of the sections beingv generally similar incross section with the other sections and disposed in end to endrelation to the other sections to form a continuous uniform conveyorsupport, and each of the sections having depending longitudinallyextending side panels inter-connected at their upper edges by alongitudinal laterally disposed panel; cross rods disposed under thesections proximate the ends thereof; means connecting opposite ends ofthe cross rods to opposite depending leg portions respectively of theU-shaped hanger members; upright plate portions rigid with the sidepanels adjacent opposite ends of the sections and extending inlongitudinal overlapping relation with the plate portions on the end ofthe next adjacent section, and each of the plate portions having thereina slot opening downwardly for receiving a cross rod, the slots of eachof the plate portions being transversely registrable with the slots ofthe plate portion on the next adjacent section; locking elements mountedon the plate portions adaptable for closing the lower end of the slotsand operative to prevent the cross rod from leaving the slots; siderails on opposite sides of and above the support; means detachablymounting the side rails on the depending portions of the hanger members;and conveyor means supported on the conveyor support for moving materiallengthwise of the support.

5. The invention defined in claim 3 in which each of the cross rods hasa circular cross section and the slots are such as to permit pivotalmovement between the cross rods and the respective sections.

6. An elongated conveyor of the type described comprising: an elongatedrail adapted for support above and longitudinal of the conveyor; aplurality of U-shaped hanger members spaced longitudinally relativeto'the rail, each of the U-shaped hanger members having a transversebight portion and depending leg portions; means mounting the U-shapedmembers on the rail permitting longitudinal movement of the members onthe rail; a plurality of elongated conveyor sections, each of thesections being generally similar in cross section with the othersections and disposed in end to end relation with the other sections toform a continuous uniform conveyor support; cross rods disposed underthe sections for vertical support thereof; means pivotally anddetachably connecting opposite ends of the cross rods to oppositedepending leg portions respectively of the U- shaped hanger members; andconveyor means supported by the conveyor support for moving materiallengthwise of the support.

7. An elongated conveyor of the type described comprising: an elongatedrail adapted for support above and longitudinal of the conveyor; aplurality of hanger members spaced longitudinally relative to the rail;means mounting the hanger members on the rail permitting longitudinalmovement of the members on the rail; a plurality of elongated conveyorsections, each of the sections being generally similar in cross sectionwith the other sections and disposed in end to end relation with theother sections to form a continuous uniform conveyor support; meanspivotally and detachably connecting the lower ends of the hanger membersto the conveyor sections; and conveyor means supported by the conveyorsupport for moving material lengthwise of the support.

8. An elongated conveyor of the type described comprising: an elongatedrail adapted for support above and longitudinal of the conveyor; aplurality of hanger structures depending from the rail and mounted forlongitudinal movement along the rail, each including a pair oftransversely spaced depending leg portions; a plurality of elongatedconveyor sections positioned between the leg portions and disposed inend to end relation to form a continuous conveyor support; cross rodsdisposed under the sections proximate the ends thereof; means connectingopposite ends of the cross rods to opposite depending leg membersrespectively; portions on the conveyor sections extending longitudinallyand each portion having therein a slot for receiving a cross rod, theslots of each of the portions being transversely aligned with the slotsof the portion on the next adjacent section; locking elements mounted onthe portions effective to prevent the cross rod from leaving the slots;and conveyor means supported by the conveyor support for moving materiallengthwise of the support.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS1,086,522 Gilman Feb. 10, 1914 1,090,670 Zimmerman Mar. 17, 19141,235,679 Gerberich Aug. 7, 1917 1,373,436 Lombi Apr. 5, 1921 2,101,017Bebinger Dec. 7, 1937 2,577,926 Stiles Dec. 11, -1 2,745,540 Smoker May15, 1956 FOREKSN PATENTS 204,689 Germany Dec. 2, 1908 366,678 GreatBritain Feb. 11, 1932 497,922 Belgium Jan. 2, 1951

